Home appliance control method and device

ABSTRACT

A home appliance control method and device are provided. The method includes: receiving operation mode information from a home appliance, wherein the operation mode information indicates a current operation mode of the home appliance; and sending the operation mode information to another home appliance to cause said another home appliance to operate in the indicated operation mode. Accordingly, a wearable device can receive from a home appliance operation mode information, and then send the same to another home appliance to cause said another home appliance to operate in the operation mode of the home appliance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Chinese Patent Application No.201510498532.7, filed on Aug. 13, 2015, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to appliance control, and moreparticularly, to a method and device for controlling a home appliance.

BACKGROUND

With the continuous development of electronic technology, there are anincreasing number of and a greater variety of home appliances for dailyuse in houses. Sometimes, a house has multiple rooms furnished with thesame kind of home appliances (e.g. air-conditioners, air purifiers, airmoisteners, etc.). In such a case, for the same kind of appliances tooperate in the same mode, a user needs to adjust operation modes ofthese home appliances one by one. This process is troublesome becauseoperating modes of modern home appliances involves an increasing numberof parameters.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present disclosure solves the above problems by providing homeappliance control methods and devices, and a storage medium.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda home appliance control method. The method is implemented by a wearabledevice, and includes: receiving operation mode information from a homeappliance, wherein the operation mode information indicates a currentoperation mode of the home appliance; and sending the operation modeinformation to another home appliance to cause said another homeappliance to operate in the indicated operation mode.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a home appliance control method. The method is implemented by ahome appliance, and includes: sending operation mode information to awearable device, wherein the operation mode information indicates acurrent operation mode of the home appliance, and the operation modeinformation is sent by the wearable device to another home appliance tocause said another home appliance to operate in the operation mode.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda wearable device. The device includes: a processor; and a memorystoring instructions executable by the processor; wherein the processoris configured to: receive operation mode information from a homeappliance, wherein the operation mode information indicates a currentoperation mode of the home appliance; and send the operation modeinformation to another home appliance to cause said another homeappliance to operate in the indicated operation mode.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a home appliance. The appliance includes: a processor; and amemory containing instructions executable by the processor; wherein theprocessor is configured to: receive operation mode information from awearable device, wherein the operation mode information indicates anoperation mode; and operate in the operation mode.

The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the presentdisclosure may have the following advantageous effects:

By implementing the home appliance methods and devices described in thepresent disclosure, a wearable device may be configured to receive froma home appliance operation mode information and then send the same toanother home appliance to cause said another home appliance to operatein the operation mode. This enables multiple home appliances in a user'shouse to operate in the same operation mode without having to adjustoperation modes of the home appliances one by one, thereby simplifyingthe user's operations.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings herein, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodimentsconsistent with the disclosure. These accompanying drawings, togetherwith the specification, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an implementation environmentaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a scenario illustrating a method for controllinga home appliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating starting or stopping operationbased on position information according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating starting or stopping operationbased on position information according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 15-18 are signaling diagrams each illustrating signaling exchangedbetween a home appliance and a wearable device for controlling the homeappliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a second start-stop moduleaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a second start-stop moduleaccording to another exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The followingdescription refers to the accompanying drawings in which the samenumbers in different figures represent the same or similar elementsunless otherwise indicated. The implementations set forth in thefollowing description of embodiments do not represent allimplementations consistent with the disclosure. Instead, they are merelyexamples of devices and methods consistent with aspects related to thedisclosure as recited in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an implementation environmentaccording to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, theimplementation environment may include a wearable device 110 and aplurality of home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n), wherein the wearable device110 may communicate with the plurality of home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n)through Bluetooth, WiFi, 2G, 3G or other wired or wireless communicationtechnologies.

The wearable device 110 may be, for example, a smart bracelet, a smartwatch, a smart ring or smart clothes. In FIG. 1, the wearable device 110is shown as a smart bracelet.

The home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n) can communicate with the wearabledevice 110, and may be, for example, air-conditioners, air purifiers orair moisteners. In FIG. 1, the home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n) are shownas air-conditioners.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to an exemplary embodiment. The method isimplemented by a wearable device 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the methodincludes the following steps:

In step S11, operation mode information is received from a homeappliance 120 _(m) (mϵ[1,n], and m is a positive integer), wherein theoperation mode information indicates a current operation mode of thehome appliance 120 _(m).

The operation mode may include parameters needed for the operation ofhome appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n), such as temperature, wind volume, timer,quiet mode and power level. The operation mode may be adjusted andcontrolled using control panels on the home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n),or using remote controllers or other controlling means.

The operation mode information may be sent and received at varioustimings. For example, a wearable device 110 may send a request to a homeappliance 120 _(m) and receive a response regarding the operation modeinformation. Alternatively, the home appliance 120 _(m) may initiativelysend the operation mode information after its operation mode changed,while the wearable device 110 may be configured to receive the operationmode information, either at a certain interval or continuously.Specifically, the wearable device 110 may be configured with a “receive”button and a “send” button. When the “receive” button is pressed, thewearable device 110 may receive from the home appliance 120 _(m) theoperation mode information. The specific manners for sending andreceiving the information may be implemented using any means commonlyknown in the art, and will not be elaborated herein.

In step S12, the operation mode information is sent to another homeappliance 120 _(p) (pϵ[1,n], and p is a positive integer) for it tooperate accordingly.

The wearable device 110 may be bound to a plurality of home appliances120 ₁-120 n in advance. After the wearable device 110 sends operationmode information to another home appliance 120 _(p), home appliance 120_(p) can operate in the operation mode defined by the operation modeinformation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a scenario illustrating a method for controllinga home appliance according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 3, a userwears a smart bracelet 110 in a house, when an air-conditioner 120 _(m)in the living room of the house and an air-conditioner 120 _(p) in thebedroom of the house are working. With a remote controller, the useradjusts the air-conditioner 120 _(m) in living room by changing itstemperature from 25° C. to 26° C. and its wind volume from Medium toLow. Then, the user presses a “receive” button on the smart bracelet110, and the air-conditioner 120 _(m) in living room will send operationmode information indicating 26° C. and Low wind volume through Bluetoothto the smart bracelet 110 worn by the user. After walking into thebedroom, the user presses a “send” button on the smart bracelet 110,which sends the operation mode information to the air-conditioner 120_(p) in the bedroom. Upon receiving the operation mode information, thebedroom air-conditioner 120 _(p) will accordingly set its temperature to26° C. and its wind volume to Low.

In this manner, multiple home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n) in a user'shouse can operate in the same operation mode without having to adjustoperation modes of the home appliances one by one, thereby simplifyingthe user's operations.

Some home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n) (e.g. an air-conditioner) mayrequire a user to be within a certain range to serve effectively to theuser. Accordingly, these home appliances may be configured to start orstop operation based on the distance between a wearable device 110carried by the user and the home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n). The distancemay be determined by signal strength of communications between thewearable device on the user and the home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment. The method isimplemented by a wearable device 110. As illustrated in FIG. 4, themethod may, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 2, include thefollowing steps.

In step S13, operation mode information stored in the wearable device110 is updated with the operation mode information received from thehome appliance 120.

The wearable device 110 only stores one or more pieces of operation modeinformation most recently received. When receiving a new piece ofoperation mode information, the wearable device 110 may automaticallydelete the oldest piece of operation mode information it has stored tosave memory space.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrated a method for controlling a homeappliance 120 according to yet another exemplary embodiment. The methodis implemented by a wearable device 110. As illustrated in FIG. 5, themethod may, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 2, include thefollowing steps:

In step S14, a signal strength of communications between the homeappliance 120 and the wearable device 110 is detected.

The wearable device 110 can detect the signal strength of communicationsbetween the home appliance 120 and the wearable device 110 in variousmanners known by a person skilled in the art. For example, the signalstrength may be determined by the time required for receiving a responsefrom the wearable device 110 after information is sent to it. The longerit takes to receive the response from the wearable device 110, theweaker the signal strength is, or vice versa.

In step S15, if the detected signal strength is higher than or equal toa predetermined threshold strength, a start indication is sent to thehome appliance 120, wherein the start indication causes the homeappliance 120 to start operating.

Here, signal strength above or on a predetermined threshold strength isconsidered to indicate that the distance between the user (who wears thewearable device 110) and the home appliance 120 is short enough for thehome appliance 120 to effectively serve the user. Then, the wearabledevice 110 carried by the user may send a start indication to the homeappliance 120. The home appliance 120 will in turn start operatingaccording to the received start indication.

The signal strength may be determined by the time required for receivinga response from the home appliance 120 after information is sent to thehome appliance 110. The longer it takes to receive the response from thehome appliance 120, the weaker the signal strength is, or vice versa.

Here, the threshold strength may be configured according to the specificfunction of the home appliance 120. For example, when the home appliance120 is an air-conditioner, the threshold strength may be set at signalstrength achievable when the user is in the room where the homeappliance 120 is located.

In this embodiment, the home appliance 120 may be configured to startoperating when the signal strength of the communications between thewearable device 110 and the home appliance 120 reaches a certain level.Accordingly, a home appliance 120 may start automatically based on theposition of the user, thereby eliminating the trouble of manualoperation.

Also, a home appliance 120 may be configured to receive the signalstrength information detected by a wearable device 110 and determinewhether to start operating. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a methodfor controlling a home appliance according to yet another exemplaryembodiment. The method is implemented by a wearable device 110. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, the method may, in addition to what isillustrated in FIG. 2, include the following steps:

In step S14, signal strength of communications between the homeappliance 120 and the wearable device 110 is detected.

In step S16, signal strength information indicating the detected signalstrength is sent to the home appliance 120, in order to cause the homeappliance 120 to start operating if the detected signal strengthindicated by the signal strength information is higher than or equal toa preset threshold strength.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 differs from the embodiment in FIG.5. In FIG. 6, the wearable device 110 sends the signal strengthinformation, and the home appliance 120 is configured to determinewhether a user is within an acceptable range based on the receivedsignal strength information (i.e. whether the signal strength is aboveor on a preset threshold strength). The home appliance 120 will startoperation if the signal strength is above or on the preset thresholdstrength.

In certain embodiments, the wearable device 110 may pre-establishbinding relationships with multiple different types of home appliances.The wearable device 110 can receive operation mode information sent bythe first type of home appliances, the current operation mode of whichis included in the above-mentioned operation mode information. Thewearable device 110 can send the above-mentioned operation modeinformation to the same type of home appliances as the first type ofhome appliances, so the same type of home appliances can operate in theabove-mentioned operation mode. The wearable device 110 can also sendthe above-mentioned operation mode information to the second type ofhome appliances that is different from the first type of homeappliances, in order to cause them to operate in the above-mentionedoperation mode.

For example, the wearable device 110 may establish relationships withair-conditioning A, humidifier B and air purifier C. As certainembodiments, the wearable device 110 may receive operation modeinformation including a current operation mode of a home appliance 120_(m) from air-conditioning A.

Here, the operation mode may include the relevant parameters of theair-conditioning operation, such as temperature, wind volume, presettime, silent mode and power level. The operation mode may be adjustedand controlled using control panels on the home appliances 120 ₁-120_(n), or using remote controllers or other controlling means. Theoperation mode information may be sent and received at various timings.The specific manners for sending and receiving the information may beimplemented using any means commonly known in the art, and will not beelaborated herein.

The wearable device 110 may send the operation mode information to thehumidifier. As certain embodiments, the wearable device 110 may send theoperation mode information according to the sending appliances. Forexample, if the sending appliance is the humidifier, the wearable device110 may send operation mode information including preset time, humidity,or silent mode to the humidifier, in order to cause it to operate in theoperation mode. If the sending appliance is the air purifier, thewearable device 110 may send operation mode information including presettime or silent mode to the air purifier, in order to cause it to operatein the operation mode.

In some embodiments, the wearable device 110 can broadcast operationmode information to the entire network. The network is the oneconnecting home appliances, such as the LAN, Internet of Things, or theWorld Wide Web. After receiving the operation mode information, homeappliances may determine whether the operation mode information match ornot, if they match, then the home appliances would operate in theoperation mode. If not, then no operation would occur.

In addition to the method for controlling a wearable device 110described above, the present disclosure provides a method forcontrolling a home appliance. FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating amethod for controlling a home appliance according to an exemplaryembodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the method is implemented by ahome appliance 120, and includes the following steps:

In step S21, operation mode information, including a current operationmode of a home appliance 120 _(m), is sent to a wearable device 110.Then the operation mode information is sent by the wearable device 110to another home appliance 120 _(p) to cause the home appliance 120 _(p)to operate in the operation mode.

The above step S21 corresponds to step S11. Similar to step S11, thehome appliance 120 _(m) may initiatively send the operation modeinformation after its operation mode is adjusted, while the wearabledevice 110 may be configured to receive the operation mode information,either at a certain interval or continuously.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the home appliance 120 _(m) maybe configured to send the wearable device 110 the operation modeinformation but not to receive from the wearable device 110 anyoperation mode information. Accordingly, the home appliance 120 _(m) mayserve as a control center controlling other home appliances. Theoperation mode of the home appliance 120 _(m) will not be influenced byany change in operation modes of the other home appliances. Furthermore,the other home appliances may receive, through the wearable device 110,operation mode of the home appliance 120 _(m), and start operation inthe same mode.

In this manner, multiple home appliances 120 ₁-120 _(n) in a user'shouse can operate in the same operation mode without adjusting operationmodes of the home appliances one by one, thereby simplifying the user'soperations.

Correspondingly, some home appliances 120 may be configured to receivefrom the wearable device 110 operation mode information but send outnone. FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling ahome appliance 120 according to another exemplary embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 8, the method includes the following steps.

In step S22, operation mode information is received from a wearabledevice 110, wherein the operation mode information indicates anoperation mode.

In step S23, the home appliance operates in the operation mode.

The above steps S22 and S23 correspond to step S12. As described above,after receiving the operation mode information, the home appliance 120_(p) controls itself to operate in the operation mode indicated by theoperation mode information.

Understandably, the home appliance 120 may be configured to not onlysend out operation mode information but also receive such informationfrom a wearable device 110 and operates in the operation mode indicatedby the received operation mode information (if its original operationmode is different from the indicated operation mode). In this manner,the home appliance 120 may be configured as both a sender and a receiverof operation mode information, thereby improving flexibility anddiversifying the approaches for adjusting the operation mode.

Moreover, correspondingly to the step S15 described above, the presentdisclosure provides another method for controlling a home appliance 120.FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance 120 according to yet another exemplary embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, the method may, in addition to what isillustrated in FIG. 7, include the following steps:

In step S24, a start indication sent by the wearable device 110 isreceived if the signal strength of communications between the homeappliance 120 and the wearable device 110 is higher than or equal to apreset threshold strength.

In step S25, the home appliance starts operating according to the startindication.

The above steps S24 and S25 correspond to step S15, and are performed ona home appliance 120. As described above, signal strength above or on apreset threshold strength is considered to indicate that the distancebetween the user and the home appliance 120 is short enough for the homeappliance 120 to effectively serve the user. After receiving the startindication, the home appliance 120 converts its original state (e.g.standby) to start operating according to the start indication.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the home appliance 120 may beconfigured to start operating when the signal strength of communicationsbetween the wearable device 110 and the home appliance 120 reaches acertain level. Accordingly, a home appliance 120 may start automaticallybased on the position of the user, thereby eliminating the trouble ofmanual operation.

In the above embodiment, the wearable device 110 is configured to detectthe signal strength and to send the start indication to the homeappliance 120. Alternatively, the home appliance 120 may be configuredto detect the signal strength, thereby enabling the appliance to controlits start and stop. FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method forcontrolling a home appliance 120 according to yet another exemplaryembodiment. The method is implemented by a home appliance 120. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, the method may, in addition to what isillustrated in FIG. 6, include the following steps:

In step S26, signal strength information indicating signal strength ofcommunications between the home appliance 120 and the wearable device110 is received from the wearable device 110.

In step S27, the home appliance starts operating if the detected signalstrength is higher than or equal to a preset threshold strength.

The above steps S26 and S27 correspond to step S17. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9 differs from the embodiment in FIG. 10. In FIG. 9,the home appliance 120 receives signal strength information, comparesthe signal strength against an internally stored threshold strength, anddetermines whether to start operating according to the comparison. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 has the advantages of saving memoryspace and reducing computational burden on the wearable device 110.

Besides, the home appliance 120 itself may detect the signal strength.FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrated a method for controlling a homeappliance 120 according to yet another exemplary embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 11, the method may, in addition to what isillustrated in FIG. 6, include the following steps:

In step S28, signal strength of communications between the homeappliance 120 and the wearable device 110 is detected.

In step S29, the home appliance 120 starts operating if the detectedsignal strength is higher than or equal to a preset threshold strengthand/or stops operating if the detected signal strength is lower than orequal to a preset stop threshold.

Similar to step S14, the signal strength may be detected by usingvarious means known by a person skilled in the art. Here, the thresholdstrength may be configured according to the specific function of thehome appliance 120. For example, when the home appliance 120 is anair-conditioner, the threshold strength may be set at a signal strengthachievable when the user is in the room where the home appliance 120 islocated.

For example, as the user wearing a smart bracelet 110 leaves a room foranother, the Bluetooth signal strength emitted by an air-conditioner 120in the former room will be diminishing. When the signal strength reachesa certain threshold, the air-conditioner 120 stops operatingautomatically. Meanwhile, the Bluetooth signal strength radiating froman air-conditioner 120 in the latter room will be increasing. When thesignal strength reaches a certain threshold, the second air-conditioner120 starts operating automatically.

In this way, the home appliance 120 may control its start/stop accordingto this self-generated signal strength between itself and the wearabledevice 110, thereby enabling the home appliance 120 to automaticallystart or stop operating according to the user's demands. Accordingly,the trouble of manual operation is eliminated and the on/off of the homeappliance 120 can be controlled in a smart manner.

Instead of determining whether the relative position between the homeappliance 120 and the wearable device 110 based on the signal strengththerebetween, other detecting devices may also be used to detect theposition of the user so as to control the on/off of the home appliance120 according to the detected position of the user.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a homeappliance according to yet another exemplary embodiment. The method isimplemented by a home appliance 120. As illustrated in FIG. 12, themethod may, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 6, include thefollowing steps:

In step S30, position information corresponding to a user's position isreceived.

The position information may be given out by a detecting deviceconnected with the home appliance 120, wherein the detecting device maybe an infra-red (IR) sensor, a camera, or any other device capable ofdetecting the position of a user. The position information may includesuch position and/or a result of whether this position is within apreset range.

For example, an IR sensor or a camera may be arranged in the room wherethe home appliance 120 is located in order to detect the position of auser in this room. As the IR sensor or camera senses the presence of aperson, the position of that person is sent to the home appliance 120.Upon receiving the position information, the home appliance 120 willeither start or stop operation according to that position information.

In step S31, the home appliance starts or stops operating according tothe position information.

In particular, FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating starting or stoppingoperation in response to position information according to an exemplaryembodiment. When the position information includes a position of a user,as illustrated in FIG. 13, the step S31 may include the following steps:

In step S311, the home appliance determines whether the user's positionis within a preset range.

In step S312, the home appliance starts operating if the position iswithin the preset range and/or stops operating if the position is notwithin the preset range.

The preset range may be such that the operation of a home appliance 120₁-120 _(n) can have a certain effect on a user within the range. Forinstance, if the home appliance 120 is an air-conditioner, the presetrange may be the room where the air-conditioner is located.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 13, a home appliance 120 can controlits on/off based on the detected position of the user. Accordingly, thetrouble of manual operation is eliminated and the on/off of the homeappliance 120 can be controlled in a smart manner.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating starting or stopping operationbased on position information according to another exemplary embodiment.When the position information includes a result of whether the user'sposition is within a preset range, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the stepS31 may include the following steps:

In step S313, the home appliance starts operating if the determinedresult indicates that the position is within the preset range and/orstops operating if the determined result indicates that the position isnot within the preset range.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 differs from the embodiment inFIG. 13. In FIG. 14, after detecting the position of a user, thedetecting device determines whether the position is within a pre-definedrange and sends the determined result to the home appliance 120, so thatthe home appliance 120 simply accepts a determined result instead ofperforming the step of determining.

According to the above embodiment, a home appliance 120 can control itson/off based on the detected position of the user. Accordingly, thetrouble of manual operation is eliminated and the on/off of the homeappliance 120 can be controlled in a smart manner.

FIGS. 15-18 are signaling diagrams each illustrating signaling exchangedbetween a home appliance 120 and a wearable device 110 for controllingthe home appliance according to an exemplary embodiment. The steps havebeen detailed before and will not be elaborated herein.

The present disclosure also provides a device for controlling a homeappliance that may be configured for a wearable device 110. FIG. 19 is ablock diagram illustrating a device for controlling a home applianceaccording to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 19, the devicemay include a first receiving module 11 and a first sending module 12.

The first receiving module 11 is configured to receive operation modeinformation from a home appliance 120 _(m), wherein the operation modeinformation indicates a current operation mode of the home appliance 120_(m).

The first sending module 12 is configured to send the operation modeinformation to another home appliance 120 _(p) to cause the homeappliance 120 _(p) to operate in the operation mode.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment. The device may beimplemented by a wearable device 110. As illustrated in FIG. 20, thedevice may include, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 19, anupdating module 13.

The updating module 13 is configured to update operation modeinformation stored in the wearable device 110 with the operation modeinformation received from the home appliance 120.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment. The device may beimplemented by a wearable device 110. As illustrated in FIG. 21, thedevice may include, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 19, afirst detecting module 14 and a second sending module 15.

The first detecting module 14 is configured to detect a signal strengthof communications between the home appliance 120 and the wearable device110.

The second sending module 15 is configured to, if the detected signalstrength is higher than or equal to a preset threshold strength, send astart indication to the home appliance 120, wherein the start indicationcauses the home appliance 120 to start operating.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment. The device may beimplemented by a wearable device 110. As illustrated in FIG. 22, thedevice may include, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 19, afirst detecting module 14 and a third sending module 16.

The first detecting module 14 is configured to detect a signal strengthof communications between the home appliance 120 and the wearable device110.

The third sending module 16 is configured to send to the home appliance120 signal strength information indicating the detected signal strengthto cause the home appliance 120 to start operating if the detectedsignal strength indicated by the signal strength information is higherthan or equal to a preset threshold strength.

The present disclosure also provides a device for controlling a homeappliance that may be configured for a home appliance 120. FIG. 23 is ablock diagram illustrating a device for controlling a home applianceaccording to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 23, the devicemay include a fourth sending module 21.

The fourth sending module 21 is configured to send operation modeinformation to a wearable device 110, wherein the operation modeinformation indicates a current operation mode of the home appliance120. Then, the operation mode information is sent by the wearable device110 to another home appliance 120 _(p) to cause the home appliance 120_(p) to operate in the operation mode.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment. The device may beconfigured for a home appliance 120. Referring to FIG. 24, the devicemay include a second receiving module 22 and a first starting module 23.

The second receiving module 22 is configured to receive operation modeinformation from a wearable device 110, wherein the operation modeinformation indicates an operation mode.

The first starting module 23 is configured to cause the home applianceto start operating in the operation mode.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment. The device may beconfigured for a home appliance 120. As illustrated in FIG. 25, thedevice may include, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 22, athird receiving module 24 and a first starting module 25.

The third receiving module 24 is configured to receive a startindication, which is sent by a wearable device 110 if detected signalstrength of communications between a home appliance 120 and the wearabledevice 110 is higher than or equal to a preset threshold strength.

The first starting module 25 is configured to cause the home applianceto start operating according to the start indication.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment. The device may beconfigured for a home appliance 120. As illustrated in FIG. 26, thedevice may include, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 22, afourth receiving module 26 and a second starting module 27.

The fourth receiving module 26 is configured to receive from thewearable device 110 signal strength information indicating signalstrength of communications between the home appliance 120 and thewearable device 110.

The second starting module 27 is configured to cause the home applianceto start operating if the indicated signal strength is higher than orequal to a preset threshold strength.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment. The device may beconfigured for a home appliance 120. As illustrated in FIG. 27, thedevice may include, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 22, asecond detecting module 28 and a first start-stop module 29.

The second detecting module 28 is configured to detect a signal strengthof communications between the home appliance 120 and the wearable device110.

The first start-stop module 29 is configured to cause the home applianceto start operating if the detected signal strength is higher than orequal to a preset threshold strength and/or to stop operating if thedetected signal strength is lower than or equal to a preset stopthreshold.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a device for controlling a homeappliance according to another exemplary embodiment. The device may beconfigured for a home appliance 120. As illustrated in FIG. 28, thedevice may include, in addition to what is illustrated in FIG. 22, afifth receiving module 30 and a second start-stop module 31.

The fifth receiving module 30 is configured to receive positioninformation corresponding to a user's position.

The second start-stop module 31 is configured to cause the homeappliance to start or stop operating according to the positioninformation.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a second start-stop module 31according to an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG.29, the position information includes a position of a user, and thesecond start-stop module 31 includes a determining unit 311 and a firststart-stop unit 312.

The determining unit 311 is configured to determine whether the user'sposition is within a preset range.

The first start-stop unit 312 is configured to cause the home applianceto start operating if the user's position is within the preset rangeand/or stop operating if the position is not within the preset range.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a second start-stop module 31according to another exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 30, the position information includes a result of whether a user'sposition is within a preset range, and the second start-stop module 31includes a second start-stop unit 313.

The second start-stop unit 313 is configured to cause the home applianceto start operating if the determined result indicates that the positionis within a preset range and/or stop operating if the determined resultindicates that the position is not within the preset range.

Detailed operations performed by modules of the devices in the aboveembodiments have been described in the embodiments of related methods,and will not be elaborated herein.

By implementing the device for controlling a home appliance described inthe present disclosure, a wearable device 110 may be configured toreceive from a home appliance operation mode information, and then sendthe same information to another home appliance to cause the another homeappliance to operate in the operation mode. This enables multiple homeappliances in a user's house to operate in the same operation modewithout having to adjust operation modes of the home appliances one byone, thereby simplifying the user's operations.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a device 3100 for controlling a homeappliance according to an exemplary embodiment. The device may beconfigured for a wearable device 110 or a home appliance 120. Forexample, the device 3100 may be a smart bracelet, a smart bracelet,smart watch, smart ring, a smart cloth piece, an air-conditioner, an airpurifier or an air moistener.

Referring to FIG. 31, the device 3100 may include one or more of thefollowing assemblies: a processing component 3102, a memory 3104, apower supply component 3106, a multimedia component 3108, an audiocomponent 3110, an input/output (I/O) interface 3112, a sensor component3114 and a communication component 3116.

The processing component 3102 generally controls the overall operationsof the device 3100, for example, display, phone call, datacommunication, camera operation and record operation. The processingcomponent 3102 may include one or more processors 3120 to implement aninstruction to complete all or part of stages of the above methods forcontrolling a home appliance. In addition, the processing component 3102may include one or more modules to facilitate the interaction betweenthe processing component 3102 and other assemblies. For example, theprocessing component 3102 may include a multimedia module to facilitatethe interaction between the processing component 3108 and the processingcomponent 3102.

The memory 3104 is configured to store various types of data to supportthe operation performed on the device 3100. The examples of such datainclude an instruction of any application program or method, contactdata, address book data, massages, pictures, videos, etc. which areoperated on the device 3100. The memory 3104 may be realized with anykind of a volatile and non-volatile storage device or combinationthereof, for example, Static Random Access Memory (SRAM),Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), ErasableProgrammable Read Only Memory (EPROM), Programmable Read Only Memory(PROM), Read Only Memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, amagnetic disk or an optical disk.

The power supply component 3106 provides power for various assemblies ofthe device 3100. The power supply component 3106 may include a powersupply management system, one or more power supplies, and otherassemblies for generating, managing and distributing power to the device3100.

The multimedia component 3108 includes a screen providing an outputinterface between the device 3100 and the user. In some embodiments, thescreen may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Touch Panel(TP). If the screen includes the touch panel, the screen may be realizedas a touch screen to receive an input information from the user. Thetouch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense the touching,sliding and the gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may notonly sense the touching or border of sliding gesture but only detect theduration time and pressure related to touching or sliding operation. Insome embodiments, the multimedia component 3108 includes onefront-facing camera and/or one rear-facing camera. When the device 3100is in an operation mode, for example, a shooting mode or a video mode,the front-facing camera and/or the rear-facing camera may receiveoutside multimedia data. Each one of front-facing camera and rear-facingcamera may be one fixed optical lens system or have focal length oroptical zoom ability.

The audio component 3110 is configured to output and/or input audioinformation. For example, the audio component 3110 includes onemicrophone (MIC). When the device 3100 is in the operation mode, forexample, a calling mode, a record mode and a speech recognition mode,the microphone is configured to receive outside audio information. Thereceived audio information may be further stored in the memory 3104 orsent via the communication component 3116. In some embodiments, theaudio component 3110 includes may include a speaker configured to outputaudio information.

An I/O interface 3112 provides an interface between the processingcomponent 3102 and a peripheral interface module. The above peripheralinterface module may be a keyboard, a click wheel, and button, etc. Thebutton may include but not limit to home page button, volume button,start button and lock button.

The sensor component 3114 includes one or more sensors and is configuredto provide various aspects of the assessment state for the device 3100.For example, the sensor component 3114 may detect the on/off state ofthe device 3100, the relative positioning of the assemblies (forexample, the assemblies are display and a keypad of the device 3100),position change of the device 3100 or one component of the device 3100,presence or absence of the touch between the user and the device 3100,as well as the orientation or acceleration/deceleration and temperaturechange of the device 3100. The sensor component 3114 may include aproximity sensor configured to detect the presence of an adjacent objectwhen there is not any physical contact. The sensor component 3114 mayalso include an optical sensor (such as CMOS or a CCD image sensor)configured to be used in imaging application. In some embodiments, thesensor component 3114 may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor.

The communication component 3116 is configured to facilitate the wiredor wireless communication between the device 3100 and other apparatuses.The device 3100 may access the wireless network based on a communicationstandard, such as WiFi, 2G or 3G, or a combination thereof. In oneexemplary embodiment, the communication component 3116 receives abroadcast information or broadcast associated information from anexternal broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In oneexemplary embodiment, the communication component 3116 also includes aNear Field Communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-rangecommunication. For example, the NFC module may be based on RadioFrequency Identification (RFID) technology, Infrared Data Association(IrDA) technology, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT)technology and other technologies.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device 3100 may be realized through oneor more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), a DigitalSignal Processor (DSP), a Digital Signal Processing Device (DSPD), aProgrammable Logic Device (PLD), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA),a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or other electronicelements, and configured to carry out the aforementioned method forcontrolling a home appliance.

In an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium comprising the instruction is also provided, for example, thememory 3104 including the instruction. The above instruction may becarried out by the processor 3120 of the device 3100 to complete theabove method for controlling a home appliance. For example, thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, anoptical data storage devices and the like.

Those skilled in the art may easily conceive other embodiments of thedisclosure from consideration of the specification and practice of thepresent disclosure. This application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following the generalprinciples thereof and including such departures from the presentdisclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art. Thespecification and examples are intended to be exemplary only, with atrue scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the followingclaims.

It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to theexact construction that has been described above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes can bemade without departing from the scope thereof. It is intended that thescope of the invention only be limited by the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A home appliance control method implemented by awearable device, comprising: receiving operation mode information from ahome appliance and position information corresponding to a user'sposition, wherein the operation mode information indicates a currentoperation mode of the home appliance and comprises various functionalparameters needed for the home appliance to operate, and the positioninformation indicates a relative distance between the user and anotherhome appliance; and sending the operation mode information to saidanother home appliance such that said another home appliance operates inthe indicated operation mode when the relative distance between the userand said another home appliance is within a predetermined range, whereinsaid another home appliance and said home appliance have the same typeof functionality.
 2. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: updating operation mode information stored in the wearabledevice with the operation mode information received from the homeappliance.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:detecting a signal strength of communications between the home applianceand the wearable device; and if the detected signal strength is higherthan or equal to a predetermined threshold strength, sending a startindication to the home appliance, the start indication causing the homeappliance to start operating.
 4. The method according to claim 1,further comprising: detecting a signal strength of communicationsbetween the home appliance and the wearable device; and sending to thehome appliance signal strength information indicating the detectedsignal strength, so that the home appliance starts operating if thesignal strength indicated by the signal strength information is higherthan or equal to a predetermined threshold strength.
 5. A control methodimplemented by a home appliance, comprising: receiving operation modeinformation from a wearable device and position informationcorresponding to a user's position, wherein the operation modeinformation indicates an operation mode of another home appliance andcomprises various functional parameters needed for said another homeappliance to operate, and the position information indicates a relativedistance between the user and the home appliance; and operating in theoperation mode when the relative distance between the user and the homeappliance is within a predetermined range, wherein said another homeappliance and said home appliance have the same type of functionality.6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: receiving astart indication, which is sent by the wearable device if a detectedsignal strength of communications between the home appliance and thewearable device is higher than or equal to a predetermined thresholdstrength; and starting operating according to the start indication. 7.The method according to claim 5, further comprising: receiving from thewearable device signal strength information indicating a signal strengthof communications between the home appliance and the wearable device;and starting operating if the signal strength indicated by the signalstrength information is higher than or equal to a predeterminedthreshold strength.
 8. The method according to claim 5, furthercomprising: detecting a signal strength of communications between thehome appliance and the wearable device; and starting operating if thesignal strength is higher than or equal to a predetermined thresholdstrength, and/or stopping operating if the signal strength is lower thanor equal to a predetermined stop threshold.
 9. The method according toclaim 5, further comprising: receiving position informationcorresponding to a user's position; and starting or stopping operatingaccording to the position information.
 10. The method according to claim9, wherein the position information indicates the user's position; andstarting or stopping operating according to the position informationcomprises: determining whether the user's position is within apredetermined range; and starting operating if the position is withinthe predetermined range, and/or stopping operating if the position isnot within the predetermined range.
 11. The method according to claim 9,wherein the position information comprises a determined result ofdetermining whether the user's position is within a predetermined range;and starting or stopping operating according to the position informationcomprises: starting operating if the determined result indicates thatthe position is within the predetermined range, and/or stoppingoperating if the determined result indicates that the position is notwithin the predetermined range.
 12. A wearable device, comprising: aprocessor; and a memory storing instructions executable by theprocessor; wherein the processor is configured to: receive operationmode information from a home appliance and position informationcorresponding to a user's position, wherein the operation modeinformation indicates a current operation mode of the home appliance andcomprises various functional parameters needed for the home appliance tooperate, and the position information indicates a relative distancebetween the user and another home appliance; and send the operation modeinformation to said another home appliance such that said another homeappliance operates in the indicated operation mode when the relativedistance between the user and said another home appliance is within apredetermined range, wherein said another home appliance and said homeappliance have the same type of functionality.
 13. The device accordingto claim 12, wherein the processor is also configured to: updateoperation mode information stored in the wearable device with theoperation mode information received from the home appliance.
 14. Thedevice according to claim 12, wherein the processor is also configuredto: detect a signal strength of communications between the homeappliance and the wearable device; and if the detected signal strengthis higher than or equal to a predetermined threshold strength, send astart indication to the home appliance, the start indication causing thehome appliance to start operating.
 15. The device according to claim 12,wherein the processor is also configured to: detect a signal strength ofcommunications between the home appliance and the wearable device; andsend to the home appliance signal strength information indicating thedetected signal strength, so that the home appliance starts operating ifthe signal strength indicated by the signal strength information ishigher than or equal to a predetermined threshold strength.
 16. A homeappliance, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructionsexecutable by the processor; wherein the processor is configured to:receive operation mode information from a wearable device and positioninformation corresponding to a user's position, wherein the operationmode information indicates an operation mode of another home applianceand comprises various functional parameters needed for said another homeappliance to operate, and the position information indicates a relativedistance between the user and the home appliance; and operate in theoperation mode when the relative distance between the user and the homeappliance is within a predetermined range, wherein said another homeappliance and said home appliance have the same type of functionality.17. The appliance according to claim 16, wherein the processor is alsoconfigured to: receive a start indication, which is sent by the wearabledevice if a detected signal strength of communications between the homeappliance and the wearable device is higher than or equal to apredetermined threshold strength; and start operating according to thestart indication.
 18. The appliance according to claim 16, wherein theprocessor is also configured to: receive from the wearable device signalstrength information indicating a signal strength of communicationsbetween the home appliance and the wearable device; and start operatingif the signal strength indicated by the signal strength information ishigher than or equal to a predetermined threshold strength.
 19. Theappliance according to claim 16, wherein the processor is alsoconfigured to: detect a signal strength of communications between thehome appliance and the wearable device; and start operating if thesignal strength is higher than or equal to a predetermined thresholdstrength, and/or stop operating if the signal strength is lower than orequal to a predetermined stop threshold.
 20. The appliance according toclaim 16, wherein the processor is also configured to: receive positioninformation corresponding to a user's position; and start or stopoperating according to the position information.
 21. The applianceaccording to claim 20, wherein the position information indicates theuser's position; and the processor is also configured to: determinewhether the user's position is within a predetermined range; and startoperating if the position is within the predetermined range, and/or stopoperating if the position is not within the predetermined range.
 22. Theappliance according to claim 20, wherein the position informationcomprises a determined result of determining whether the user's positionis within a predetermined range; and the processor is also configuredto: start operating if the determined result indicates that the positionis within the predetermined range, and/or stop operating if thedetermined result indicates that the position is not within thepredetermined range.